REVIEW: The Killer is a murderous, methodical trip

David Fincher has made 12 films in his career, and a common thread among most of them is a fascination with darkness. Whether it be the religious murders of Se7en, the home invasion fear of Panic Room, or the psychological investigation in Gone Girl, Fincher seems drawn to the darkness lying underneath everything. What people do when they think no one is watching is a question that seems to plague Fincher in his darkest moments. With this film, he fully throws himself into that question by creating a film about a person whose work is to never be seen by anyone.

The Killer, adapted from a French graphic novel of the same name, stars Michael Fassbender (from Inglorious Basterds and Steve Jobs) as an unnamed contract killer. A consummate professional, the film finds him on a job gone wrong and searching for vengeance after those who hired him strike back. Unfolding in five chapters, he travels the world in search of those who wronged him with a cold, calculated, bloody revenge on his mind.

The film stays entirely with Fassbender, including many stretches with only his narration to accompany the viewer. The film often feels cold and dark, and Fincher’s direction is a perfect fit for that. His usual immaculate framing and dark lighting feel right at home for this story of a hitman on the run. Aiding this is the film’s strongest element, the score by Fincher’s frequent collaborators Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (who have both scored the Social Network, the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem).

Their score is thumping and anxious, constantly matching the heartbeat Fassbender’s character frequently checks. It creates immense unease in the viewer, but anyone who knows the work of Fincher knows that’s the appeal of his filmography. It’s not the kind of film that you watch with your kids, or watch for a cathartic emotional resolution. You watch to go down into the depths of darkness, and see how you feel when you come back out.

Despite never working with Fincher before, Fassbender feels like a natural fit. He slinks into the background, wearing an unimpressive suit to disguise himself from everyone. He blends into every scene, hiding among the shadows and never once standing out. His performance feels calm yet desperate, collected yet unsure. He shows a deep focus in attempting to achieve his goals, which becomes eerie at several points. While most of the film he’s on his own, his performance shines the most when opposite some of his peers, including Charles Parnell (from Top Gun: Maverick) and Tilda Swinton (from the Grand Budapest Hotel).

The Killer is the one film all Fincher fans have been expecting for his entire career. Combining many of his usual tropes with a lead actor that serves his purposes well, the Killer is an incredibly entertaining film for those with a little darkness in their heart. This films gets a 4/5, you can watch it in theatres now, or on Netflix starting on November 10th.